Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: Writing the Romantic Comedy by Billy Mernit ISBN: 0-06-093503-0 Publisher: HarperResource Pub. Date: 01 August, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.9 (10 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: This goes on the shelf next to my computer!
Comment: A fabulous book not only on writing romantic comedy movies but on writing, period. In particular, a romance writer of any medium would find this invaluable.
Mr. Mernit examines the basic components of story and character, but also provides fascinating insight to such subjects as theme. End-chapter exercises are unusually helpful and enlightening.
Critiques of a few movies show just how they accomplished what they did. (The examination of "Tootsie" is amazing!) I appreciated the breakdown of how romantic comedy in the movies has evolved through the years and am now collecting many of the titles listed in the book that I've never seen. (The recent AFI list on romantic movies is also a good source for more study.)
This book is on my shelf now right next to Syd Fields and Debra Dixon. I will certainly be referring to it again and again in the years that come.
Rating: 5
Summary: The book Nora Ephron doesn't want us to read....
Comment: Writing the Romantic Comedy takes out the mystery of the craft of writing screenplays like Shakespeare in Love and Notting Hill. Billy Mernit - the author - explains the workings of the romantic comedy and how would-be writers like myself can produce screenplays that will sell. Mernit defines the seven fundamentals of cinematic storytelling - components that make up a successful script; character, plot and structure, theme, imagery, dialogue, point of view, and the world or setting of the script. He uses well-known romantic comedies like Shakespeare in Love, Tootsie, Annie Hall and When Harry met Sally. The brief historical overview shows the development of this wonderful genre and he even gives some pointers about the future of the romantic comedy. I liked the chapter of Being Sexy. There is no longer the need to shut the bedroom door on the sex act but when sex is portrayed it should be more that just sex. Mernit uses the example of the French movie Cousin, Cousine to explain how to make sex sexy. He mentions other movie examples to demonstrate how to use the 'bedroom' not to stop the action but to further the plot, reveal character and heighten conflict. The exercises at the end of most chapters are a must to further your understanding and insight of the content of the chapter. I have even copied the romantic comedy rewrite checklist on pages 244 - 247 to remind me of what is needed to write a successful script. Writing the Romantic Comedy is aimed at beginners and seasoned writers alike, because even a successful movie like Runaway Bride has problems that can be solved with the help of Mernit's insight. Writing a romantic screenplay is still hard work, but this book will give you the unfair advantage we need over our competitors. The best recommendation to buy this book, other than the above, is to wait for my (eek) screenplay - inspired by Billy Mernit.
Rating: 5
Summary: A great book for all writers
Comment: If you can attend one of Mr. Mernit's classes, do. But if you can't, the book is a very good substitute.
The reason this book is so good is the author approaches script writing from a professional reader's perspective, and a historical perspective. His passion for the genre is clear. He not only knows and shares the roots of romantic comedy, he discusses the common elements af all successful movies in the genre.
This book is invaluable for someone working in this genre, but it's also relevant for all aspiring (or actively working) screenwriters. Don't be afraid to get this book if you are working in another genre. He shares insights that are relevant to all genres.
In short, this is a great book written not by an aspiring writer or someone that makes a living by only teaching, but by someone actually in the movie business that knows what works.
 |
Title: Writing the Comedy Film: Make 'Em Laugh by Stuart Voytilla, Scott Petri ISBN: 0941188418 Publisher: Michael Wiese Productions Pub. Date: March, 2003 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
 |
Title: Crafty Screenwriting: Writing Movies That Get Made by Alex Epstein ISBN: 0805069925 Publisher: Owl Books Pub. Date: 08 October, 2002 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
 |
Title: Laughing Out Loud: Writing the Comedy-Centered Screenplay by Andrew Horton ISBN: 0520220153 Publisher: University of California Press Pub. Date: January, 2000 List Price(USD): $14.35 |
 |
Title: Creating Unforgettable Characters by Linda Seger ISBN: 0805011714 Publisher: Henry Holt & Company, Inc. Pub. Date: 15 July, 1990 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
 |
Title: Writing the Thriller Film: The Terror Within by Neill D. Hicks ISBN: 0941188469 Publisher: Michael Wiese Productions Pub. Date: October, 2002 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
